Folding wall-rack



W. W. LINCOLN.

FOLDING WALL RACK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5. 1911.

Patented June l, 192() @2li/Enclos 03M w @JLM @nvm/1km wm MLM UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

WARD LINCOLN, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS. v

FOLDING WALL-Rack.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARD W. LINCOLN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rock Falls, in the county of Whiteside and 'State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldingWall- Racks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to foldin wall racks, or that kind which aredesigneld` for the support of a number of garments in compact space.While my device is specially adapted foruse in closets and presses forclothes, it is capable of being employed ina variety of other places.

By the use of my invention it is possible to pack several skirts, pairsof pants or other articles tightly against one of the walls of a closetor room, or against the door thereof, in such a manner that they can bereadily removed or replaced, when desired.

rl`hese and other features and advantages of my device will more fullyappear in the following specification, reference being had to thedrawings accompanying the same, in which:

Figure 1 shows my invention in vertical longitudinal section, in openposition. Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof, partially closed. Fig. 3 isa detail of the mechanism for operating the bars 9, in open position.Fig. 4 is a similar view, in closed position. Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsection of a modified form of rack, in open position. Fig. 6 is asimilar View, in partially closed position.

1 represents a support, having crosspieces 2, by means of which it canbe secured to a wall or other fixture. 3 is a rack, foldably connectedwith the support l by means of braces 4, extending from a central pointof the rack to the upper part of the frame 1, and a brace 5, connectingthe inner end of the rack with the lower end of the support. The rack isprovided at its ends with rigid cross pieces 6, and at intervals in theinner faces of the side-pieces of the rack are recesses 7 in which areremovably held the ends of rods 8, of sufficient length to hold a pairof pants, skirt or other garment folded over the same. When the rack isprovided with the desired number of such garments it is tipped upwardlyinto a position approaching the vertical, as shown in Fig. 2. To attainthis position the rack is first pulled outwardly, permitting the upperend Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1 1920.

Application led October 5, 1917. Serial N0. 194,856.

of the brace 5 to describe a semi-circle, such end passing below thepoint of support of the brace. In this position the garments are broughtinto close proximity with one anotheryone inlfront of the other.

T herelative lengths of the braces 4 and 5 is such that when the rack isin vopen position it will be in a horizontal plane, as shown, and inconvenient position for placing articles therein or removing themtherefrom. To place a garment inposition in the rack one of the rods 8is removed and the garment folded over the same, after which the rod isreplaced. When the rack is filled or partially filled with garments andis closed up against the support, the weight of such garments tends toretain such rack in a closed position; in fact, the greater the weightthat is placed thereon, the more dificult it is to return the rack to ano en position. After passing a neutral point, however, in opening therack, the tendency is equally as strong in the direction of holding thesame open.

To prevent accidental release of the rods 8 when the rack is raised orpartly raised, the side-pieces of the rack 3 may be provided with bars9,slidable thereon by means of pins 10 in the rack, passing through slots11 in the bars. rlhe bars 9 are provided with a plurality of openings12, corresponding with the recesses 7, and registering therewith whenthe rack is in open position, so as to permit removal of the rods 8. Thebars 9 are connected with the braces 4 by means of arms 13, pivotallyattached at each end, the connection with the arms 4 being at a littledistance from the pivotal point thereof, so that in the movement of thebrace with relation to the rack 3 the pivotal point of the arm describesa semi-circular movement about the brace pivot. When the rack is raisedthis causes a movement of the bar 9 upon the side-piece 3, bringing theopenings 12 out of register with the recesses 7 and locking the ends ofthe rods 8 in place. When the rack is returned to a horizontal positionthe openings 12 resume their former position, in register with therecesses 7, again permitting removal of the rods.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a form of my invention which is more speciallyadapted for use in a kitchen, for the support of towels, cloths andsimilar articles. This form has a shorter frame 14, the ends of whichare united by a cross-piece 15, by means of which i the same can besecured 1n place. 16 1s a rack provided with a limited number of rods orrounds 17, rigidly secured in place. The rack is connected with thesupport 14 by means of braces 18 and 19, similar in character andoperation to the braces 4 and 5 of the first-named form. Vhen the rackis open the articles mentioned can be placed onthe bars 17 and then therack folded up against the wall, in which position the 'cloths thereonare permitted to dry, if wet.

It will be obvious that my invention can be used for the support ofgarments in a receptacle in a store, or against the wall of a store. Itis also convenient for the displa i of neck-ties, belts and similararticles.

l yhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States', is:

1. A device, of the class described, comprising a supporting frame, arack foldably connected therewith and provided with a -raclc andoperatively connected with said first-named braces t'o cause a movementof said bars when said rack is raised.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signa ture in the presence of twowitnesses.

WARD w.. LINCOLN.

\Vitnesses FRANK 1V. HASKELL, W'. N. HAsKELL.

